Valve mechanism for main and pilot



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INVENTOR ln In" Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNiTED STATES VALVE MECHANISM FOR MAIN AND PILOT BURNERS Ernest J. Horton, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Ruud Manufacturing Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 3, 1933. Serial No. 669,182

11 Claims.

l open by means responsive to the heat of the pilot tinguished for any reason, the heat responsive means allows both valves to close.

An object of this invention is the provision of mechanism which, by merely turning the manually operated valve towards on position, or from on position towards closed position, temporarily cocks or opens the pilot burner cut-off valve to permit fuel to flow to the pilot burner so that it may be lighted, and, after the manually operated valve has been turned to on position, allows both cut-01T valves to function in their normal manner.

A further object of the invention is to so arrange the pilot valve eocking mechanism that the pilot burner may continue to burn after the manually operated valve has moved to full open position, and cause the heat responsive means to fully open both cut-olf valves, disable the cocking mechanism, and place both cut-off valves entirely under the control of the heat responsive mechanism. With valve mechanism embodying features designed to accomplish these objects, it is possible to cock the pilot burner valve in the same operation that is performed to open the master valve.

After the master Valve has been fully opened, the cooking mechanism becomes inoperative the moment the heat responsive mechanism opens and takes control of the main and pilot burner cut-off valves. If the pilot burner flame is extinguished for any reason, the heat responsive mechanism closes both the cut-olf valves and these valves remain closed until the master valve is returned to the position in which the pilot Cil valve is cocked. After relighting the pilot burnery.

- valve, the cooking mechanism is again released burner ame so that in case the name is ex- (Cl. 15S-117.2)

to inoperative position with respect to the cut-off valve.

A fuller understanding of the invention may be had from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a general assembly view, partly in section taken on line I-I of Figure 2, of a valve mechanism, embodying one form of the invention, shown in operative relation to a main and pilot burner;

Fig. 2 is a view of the mechanism as seen from left to right in Fig. l, with parts thereof removed for sake of clarity; and

Fig. 3 is a partial view of a member provided 70 with a cam adapted to turn with the master valve, as it is being opened or closed, and operate the pilot burner valve cooking mechanism when in a position intermediate or between its oi and on positions.

In the drawing, a main burnerV 1 is shown to which fuel, such as gas, is supplied from a supply line 2. The particular type of valve mechanism illustrated is designed to operate either in the so-called automatic hot water heaters in which the supply of gas is turned on and 01T at the main burner automatically as the flow of water from such heater is turned on and 0E in accordance with the demand for hot Water; or in the storage type of heater where the gas to the main burner is turned on or olf in accordance with the temperature of the water therein. In order that the gas delivered to burner 1, each time the water is drawn from the heater,may be ignited the usual pilot light or auxiliary burner 3 is provided. Burner 3 may be mounted on or adjacent to the main burner and is sup? plied with fuel or gas from an auxiliary or branch line 4 which, as will be understood, is connected to the main fuel supply line at a point ahead of any other val/ve or control mechanism (not shown) that may be required by the particular type of water heater to which this invention may be applied.

Under normal conditions, the pilot or auxiliary 100 burner 3 is burning at all times. Occasionally, however, unexpectedconditions arise which cause the ame at the pilot or auxiliary burner to be extinguished. `In such a case, gas would escape through the main burner as well as the auxiliary I burner :orpilot light unless provision were made to automatically and positively shut off the gas supply thereto until the pilot light or auxiliary burner has been relighted. The delivery of gas to the pilot and main burner is controlled by valve mechanism 6. This mechanism includes a master valve 7, adapted to be connected in the supply line 2, and cut-off valves 8 and 9 for the pilot and main burners, respectively. These cutoff valves are disposed between and connected to the pilot and main burner and the master valve.

When the pilot burner is lighted, the pilot and main burner cut-off valves are held open by a heat responsive device 10, but if the pilot flame is extinguished for any reason, the heat responsive device allows the valves to close.

In order to relight the pilot burner, the pilot burner cut-off valve 8 must be opened again. As a safety measure, it is desirable that the supply of gas to the main cut-off valve 9 be closed while the pilot burner 3 is being lighted. The valve arrangement illustrated is therefore provided with mechanism 11 operated by the master valve for cocking the pilot valve. This mechanism requires that the master valve 7, if open or in its full on position, be turned towards its closed or oi" position to a position intermediate its on and ofi position, in which position the supply of fuel to the main cut-off valve 9 is shut off but connected to the pilot burner cut-off valve. When in this intermediate or cocking position, the cocking mechanism functions to partially open the pilot burner cutoi valve 8 and hold it open so that the pilot burner may be lighted.

If the master valve is in its closed or oif position, the pilot burner valve is cocked by turning the master Valve towards on position to said intermediate position. In either case, after the pilot burner 3 has been lighted, the master valve 6 is turned to its full on position. As soon as the heat responsive device 10 has been suciently heated by the pilot burner ame, this device actuates both cut-o valve to their normal open positions. When this operation occurs, the cocking mechanism 11 is rendered inoperative, placing both cut-01T valves 8 and 9 under the control of the heat responsive device 10, which as stated above, holds them open so long as the pilot burner is lighted and permits them to close if the pilot flame is extinguished.

The master valve 7 comprises a valve body 12 having an inlet 13 to which the supply line 2 is connected and two outlets 14 and 15 which lead to the inlet ports of the pilot and main burner cut-off valves, respectively, and a, ported cock barrel 16. Valve body 12 has an opening 17 adapted to register with a port 18 in cock barrel 16 when in its on position, so that fuel may fiow from the inlet 13 through the cock and an elbow 19 to the inlet of the main burner cut-off valve 9. The valve body 12 has an opening 20 disposed to register with a groove 21 formed in the outer wall of the barrel cock.

When the barrel cock is in its off" position, groove 21 and port 18 thereof are out of register with the openings 20 and 17 in the valve body so that the supply of fuel to the inlets of the cut-oi valves is completely shut off. However, when master valve 6 is turned to its intermediate position, groove 21 registers with opening 20 so that gas may flow to the inlet of pilot burner cut-off valve 8. This groove is of sufficient length, circumferentially of the cock barrel to permit gas to now to the pilot burner when the same has been turned to its full on position.

As shown, that portion of the cock barrel disposed within body 12 is tapered and the bore in the body is similarly tapered. The large end of the cock is provided with a spindle v2 2 that extends out of the body through a nut 23 which is threaded into the valve body and employed to hold the barrel cock in place. The spindle may be provided with a handle 24 by which the cock may be turned to its various operative positions, which are indicated by broken lines A, B, and C of Fig. 2. These operative positions are, for

convenience, placed apart, position A beingthe off position, position B being an intermediate position in'which the pilot valve is automatically cocked, and position C is the full on position.

A portion of the pilot valve cocking mechanism is non-turnably mounted on the spindle of the barrel cock so that it turns with the cock. This portion of the mechanism comprises a disc 25 having a double-acting cam 26 thereon. This cam operates on the end of a cocking pin 27 which is slidably guided in spaced lugs or ears 28 and 29 formed on the body 12 of the master valve. Movement of pin 27 is opposed by a compression spring 30 disposed about the pin and between lug 29 and a stop 31 which is locked to the pin with a cotter pin 32. When the master valve handle is turned to position B, either from its ofi or A position or from its on or C position, the cam moves pin 27 to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, and operates a latch 33 that cocks the pilot burner valve and holds it in cocked position to permit the pilot burner to'be lighted. This latch holds the pilot burner valve open independently of pin 27 and cam 26, so that the cock barrel may be turned to on or C position. When in this position, cam 26 is movedout of engagement with cocking pin 27 so that the pin may be retracted by spring 30 to the broken line position thereof and disengaged from latch 33.

As soon as the heat responsive device 10 has been heated sufficiently by the pilot flame to actuate the cut-olf valves to their normal open positions, latch 33 is released to its inperative broken line positon, whereby both cut-off valves are placed under the control of the heat responsive device 10.

The main burner cut-off valve 9 comprises a opened or closed by a poppet valve 37. This popj ,i

pet valve is urged towards closed position by means of a. compression spring 38 disposed between the valve and a cap 39 which is threaded into the valve body.

Valve 37 comprises a body member 40 having a flanged rim 41; a washer 42 between which and rim 41, a valve disc 43 is placed; and a bushing 44 which is threaded into body 40 to clamp the parts together. The bushing has a central bore to accommodate the end of lift rod 45.

The pilot burner cut-ofi valve 8 comprises a body 46 which is secured to valve body 34 of valve 9, by means of screws 47 (see Fig. 2), with the axis of the bore of the body disposed in line or coaxial with the longitudinal axis of lift rod 45.

The lift rod is formed with a valve 48 which is disposed to seat on a valve seat 49 in body 46 to control the flow of fuel from port 14 of the master valve to the pilot burner. When the valve is seated on its seat, this flow is shut oi andi 1 when raised oi the seat, ow takes place provided the cock of master valve 7 is in position B or C. Valve 48 is normally urged towards closed position by means of a compression spring 50 disposed about the lift rod and between the valve and a stuffing box 51 which is threaded into the end of the body which projects into valve body 34. The other end of the lift rod extends outwardly from the other end of the valve body through a stuing box 52. The outer end of this rod is provided with an adjustable stop 53 in the form of a disc nut 54 and locknut 55. This stop is adapted to be engaged by a nger 56 which is actuated by the heat responsive device 10. The heat responsive device comprises a bimetallic member 57 which is anchored at one end to a bracket 58 formed as part of valve body 46 and the other endV thereof is secured to finger 56. The thermostatic or bimetallic member may be curved or of U-shape so that, as the legs thereof converge in response to the heat of the pilot fiame, nger 56 is urged against stop 53 to shift the lift rod to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, and lift the cut-off valves from their seats.

The free end of finger 56 is slotted so as to coact with latch 33. Latch 33 is pivoted at one end to the valve body 46 and is provided at its free end with an adjustable abutment 58 which is threaded thereon. By swinging the latch upwardly as seen in Figure 1, this abutment presses on the free end of nger 56 and shifts lift rod 45 to the right an amount sufcient to partially open the pilot burner cut-off valve without opening the main burner cut-off valve. The resiliency of the thermostatic device l0 and the force of spring cause sufficient pressure to be exerted between the end of finger 56 and abutment 58 to frictionally hold latch 33 in its cooking position.

The latch 33 is formed With a projection 60 adapted to be engaged by the tapered end of cooking pin 27 so that, as the pin is moved to its full line position indicated in Fig. 1, this projection will cause the latch to swing upwardly to its cocking position.

The latch is provided with a stop 61 that limits or fixes the position thereof when released from nger 56.

Assuming that-master valve 7 is in its off position and it is desired to light the pilot burner, handle 24 is turned from position A to position B, in which position cam 26 forces cocking pin 27 to the right. The cocking pin moves the latch to the position shown in. full.lines, in which position the lift rod is moved to the right to partially open the pilot valve.

There is sufficient clearance between the right hand end of the lift rod 45, as seen in Fig. 1, so that when the pilot burner valve is partialy open, the main burner cut-off valve will not be lifted off its seat.

The pilot burner having been partially opened, gas flows from the supply line 2 through port 20 in the valve body, groove 21 of the barrel cock, out of port 14 through pipe 63 to the inlet of the pilot burner cut-off valve 8, thence through the valve into pipe 4 to pilot burner 3. After lighting the pilot burner, handle 24 may be turned to position C so that the master valve is in its full on position and the supply of fuel connected to the inlet of main burner cut-off valve 9. When the master valve is in this position, cooking pin 27 is retracted and disengaged from cooking latch 33. When the thermo-responsive device 10 functions, the lift rod 45 is moved to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, opening fully the pilot and main burner cut-off valves. As soon as finger 56 moves away from the abutment of the latch 33, the latch drops to its inoperative position, that is, the position indicated in broken lines, so that both cutoff valves are placed entirely under the control of the thermo-responsive device. Thus, if the pilot ame goes out the thermostatic device cools y off and the cut-off valves are caused to return to their closed positions.

The pilot burner cut-off valve may be re-cocked by turning the master valve from its on position, or position C, to position B, in which position the cooking mechanism isl again set to partially open, and hold open, the pilot valve. Thus, by repeating the above-described operation the pilot burner may be relighted and the cut-off valves returned to their full open positions.

`While it has been stated that the cock of master valve 6 is not turned to on or C position until the pilot burner has been lighted, it will be apparent that the cock may be turned immediately from position B to position C before the pilot burner is lighted because latch 33 will hold the pilot burner cut-olf valve in its cocked position once it has been cocked, until the heat responsive device takes control of the cut-off valves.

Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing either from the spirit or the scope of the invention. It is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed on the invention as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a pilot burner, a main burner, and a manually operated valve having an inlet to which a fuel supply line may be connected and a plurality of outlets, of a valve connected to one of the outlets of said manually operated valve disposed to control the ow of fuel to the pilot burner, a valve connected to another of the outlets of said manually controlled valve disposed to control the flow of fuel to the main burner, means operated by said manually operated valve to open and hold open the pilot burner valve, and meansresponsive to the heat developed by said pilot burner for opening said main burner valve and releasing said pilot valve holding means to a position in which said valves may close upon the extinguishment of the pilot burner.

2. In combination with a pilot burner and a main burner, and a manually operated valve having an inlet to which a fuel supply line may be connected and a plurality of outlets, of a valve connected to one of said outlets disposed to control the flow of fuel to the pilot burner, a valve connected to lanother of said outlets disposed to control the ow of fuel to the main burner, means operated by said manually operated valve to open and hold open the pilot burner valve, and means responsive to the heat developed by said pilot burner for opening the main burner valve, releasing the pilot burner valve holding means and holding both of said valves open while the pilot burner is burning, said heat responsive means being arranged to close both of said valves in response to the extinguishment of said pilot burner.

3. The combination with a source of supply of fuel, a pilot burner, a main burner, and a valve having an inlet, to which a. supply pipe may be connected, and a plurality of outlets, of a valve connected to one of said outlets disposed to control the flow of fuel to the main burner, a valve connected to the other of said outlets disposed to control the flow of fuel to said pilot burner, means operated by said manually operated valve to open and hold open the pilot burner valve, including a latch for holding said valve open, and means responsive to the heat developed by said pilot burner for opening said main burner, releasing said latch and placing both of said valves under the control of said heat responsive means.

4. Incombination, a pilot burner, a main burner, a manually operated valve adapted to be connected in a fuel supply line for said burners, a valve between and connected to said manually operated valve and the pilot burner for controlling the fiow of fuel thereto, a valve between and connecting said manually operated valve and the main burner for controlling the iiow of fuel thereto, means operated by said manually operated valve as said valve is being opened for opening the pilot burner valve and holding it open, and means responsive to the heat developed by the pilot burner for opening said main burner valve, said heat responsive means, after the main burner valve has been opened and the manually operated valve has been turned to a predetermined position, being operative to cause both valves to close in case the flame at the pilot burner becomes extinguished.

5. In combination, a pilot burner, a main burner, a manually operated valve adapted to be connected in a supply line having a supply of fuel therein for said burners, a valve interposed between and connected to said manually operated valve and the pilot burner for controlling the flow of fuel thereto, a valve interposed between and connected to the manually operated valve and the main burner for controlling the ow of fuel thereto, meanshaving an operative connection with the manually operated valve and the pilot burner valve for opening said pilot burner valve, as the manually operated valve is being turned towards "on position, and holding said valve open, means responsive to the heat developed by the pilot burner for opening the main burner valve, and means coacting with said main burner and pilot burner valves arranged to release said holding means and place: both of said valves under the control of said heat responsive means.

6. The combination with a pilot burner, a main burner, a manually operated valve adapted to be connected to a supply line having a supply of fuel therein, of a valve interposed between and connected to the manually operated valve and the pilot burner for controlling the flow of fuel thereto, a valve interposed between and connected to the main burner and said manually operated valve for controlling the flow of fuel thereto, said manually operated valve being disposed to turn the fuel on to said valves or to shut off the supply therefrom, means operated by movement oi' said manually operated valve towards open position for partially opening said pilot burner valve and holding the same in said partially open position, as the valve is being turned to full on position, means responsive to the heat developed by said pilot burner for opening the main burner valve, and a connection between said valves operable to increase the opening of said pilot burner valve in response to the opening of said main burner valve and release said pilot valve holding means and place both of said valves under the control of said heat responsive means.

7. The combination with a main burner and a pilot burner for igniting fuel supplied to the main burner and an automatic cut-off valve for each burner, of a main gas cock for controlling the supply of fuel to said cut-off valves, a handle for turning the cock, and mechanism operated by the turning ofthe handle for cooking the pilot burner cut-oil valve and turning on the supply of fuel to the pilot burner and means energized by the pilot burner flame for opening the main burner out-olf valve and holding both out-off valves open only while the pilot burner is lighted.

8. In combination, main and pilot burner outoif valves for controlling the flow of fuel to main and pilot burners, a fuel cock operable to control the delivery of fuel to the inlets of said cut-off valves, said cock having a handle for turning the same to on" and off positions and mechanism operated by the turning of said handle to a position between its on and olf positions for cooking the pilot burner out-off valve and connecting the inlet thereof to the supply of fuel, whereby the fuel delivered to the pilot burner may be ignited to ignite the fuel delivered to the main burner upon the opening of the main burner cutoff valve, the cock turning on the fuel supply to both out-off valves when the handle is turned to "on position.

9. In combination, main and' pilot burner cutoff valves, a fuel cock operable to control the delivery of fuel to the inlets of said cut-off valves, said cock having a handle for turning the same between on and off positions, mechanism operated by the turning of said handle to a position between its on and off positions for cooking the pilot burner out-off valve and connecting the inlet thereof to the supply of fuel, the cock turning on the fuel supply to both cut-off valves when the handle is turned to on position, and thermostatic mechanism operable to open both outoff valves and hold them open in response to burning of fuel at a pilot burner.

10. In combination, main and pilot burner cutoif valves, a fuel cock operable to control the delivery of fuel to the inlets of said cut-ofi' valves, said cock having a handle for turning the same to on and off positions, mechanism operated by the turning of said handle to a position between its on and off positions for cooking the pilot burner cut-off valve and connecting the inlet thereof to the supply of fuel, the cock turning on the fuel supply to both cut-off valves when the handle is turned to on" position, -and thermostatic mechanism operable to open both out-olf valves and hold them open in response to burning of fuel at a pilot burner, said thermostatic mechanism, when opening said valves, releasing the cooking mechanism so that said valves sor may close in case the pilot flame is extinguished.

11. The combination with a normally closed cut-off valve for a burnerV and a thermostatic device for holding saidrvalve open when fuel is burning at the burner and closing the same if the flame is extinguished, 'of a' main cock for controlling the supply of fuel to the cut-off valve, a movable member for rocking the out-off valve. a retractable pin for operating said movable member to valve cooking position, a cam for operating the pin to latch operating position, and a single handle for turning both the cam and the cock, the cam being out of engagement with the pin when in on or off position to allow the pin to retract from the latch and the latch to be released upon the opening of the valve by said thermostatic device.

ERNEST J. HORTON.

CERTIFICATE oE CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,943,075. January 9, 1934.

ERNEST J. HORTON.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 138, claim 11, for "rocking" read cooking; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 27th day of February, A. D. -193.4.

F. M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

